David Zalubowski/Associated PressFollowing his release from the Denver Broncos last week, some Browns fans are wondering if John Lynch would be a good fit in the Browns' thin secondary.

Hey, Tony: With preseason starting, have you heard anything about the Browns doing something to address the need for a veteran cornerback? It seems they're wasting valuable time in getting someone in here to learn the system and be able to contribute by the start of the season. -- Bryan Van Dine, Marietta, Ohio

Hey, Bryan: It takes two teams to make a deal. So far, they can't find a willing dance partner. They may have to wait for roster cuts, though Thursday's game may convince them to do something sooner.

Hey, Tony: Can you tell me if this makes sense or if the Browns would consider it? The Broncos and John Lynch have reached an agreement to allow Lynch to explore other options. Would the Browns sign Lynch to a one-year contract and move Mike Adams to cornerback to fill the CB void at least for this season, if no other CBs or safeties become available? And from what you've seen out of Derek Anderson in camp, how much do you think he can improve on last season's numbers? I love your insight. -- Tom Kump, Mayfield Heights

Hey, Tom: I have great respect for Lynch and his career, but one thing the Browns don't need now is a slow, aging safety. Lynch has been one of the league's toughest hitters for a long time. Adams is competing with Terry Cousin for the nickel cornerback role in addition to backing up at safety. In camp, Anderson looks poised for an even bigger year. He has the confidence and the experience of a full season.

Hey, Tony: Mike Williams was just released by the Titans ... any interest from the Browns? He does fit their tall receiver mold they want. -- John Connor, Cleveland

Hey, John: Yes, they like them tall. But they also would like them to run and catch.

Joshua Gunter/The Plain DealerThe prospect of seeing Shaun Rogers with a ball in his hands in a short-yardage situation intrigues some Browns fans.

Hey, Tony: I'm not sure if this question has been asked: What are your thoughts on Rogers in a short yardage or goal line [situation]. With his power and speed for a big man I see him getting a yard or two. Do you know if he ever did this for the Lions? Lewis, Vickers, Rogers [would] move the chains! -- Mark Fields, Columbus, Ohio

Hey, Mark: I don't believe Rogers ever lined up for the Lions in the backfield. It is a logical thought, though.

Hey, Tony: It was reported in Chicago that Ricky Manning Jr. is not part of the Bears' plans in the secondary and could be available via trade or possibly released. What do you think of him and would he fit the Browns' need for a veteran cornerback? -- Peter Briggs, Chicago

Hey, Peter: He's small, but he is experienced. I'd give him a close look if he became available.

Scott Shaw/The Plain DealerJamal Lewis has been a hard-working and impressive player during the early stages of the Browns' training camp.

Hey, Tony: Who in training camp on offense and defense has impressed you the most and who is the biggest surprise? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Angelo: On offense, Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis and Braylon Edwards have been most impressive. On defense, I would single out Shaun Rogers, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald. The biggest surprise to me, so far? ... That Anderson has laid to rest any threat of a quarterback controversy.

Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns will only dress 2 QBs more this year in order to have an extra player be in uniform such as Jerome Harrison or Alex Hall? Also, do the Browns expect Donte Stallworth to block near the line of scrimmage like Joe Jurevicius did on run plays and if so, do you think he can hold up? -- Brandon Sarratt, Columbus, Ohio

Hey, Brandon: Ken Dorsey will always dress as the third quarterback and 46th player on the game active list. That has no effect on who fills the other 45 slots. Stallworth is going to have to block, yes. He should be able to hold up blocking cornerbacks.

Hey, Tony: A lot of teams around the NFL use piped-in crowd noise during their home games, kind of a homefield advantage. Have the Browns ever done this and if not, what is their reasoning? -- Scott St. Clair, Medina

Hey, Scott: If you've ever been at a Browns game when they were good, you would understand why it is not necessary to pipe in crowd noise. Besides, it is against NFL rules.

Hey, Tony: I saw Ryan Tucker spending time talking to Jim Brown the other day. Do you get the feeling the young players get a lot out of Jim Brown being there? Or are they too young to get it and view him as just some old guy? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

Hey, Michael: Anyone who talks to Brown gets something out of the conversation. They would be wise to take advantage of his presence.

Hey, Tony: Is anybody making an impression in the battle for the fifth and sixth spots on the defensive line? -- Matt Alsip, Towson, Md.

Hey, Matt: I think the two spots will come from the winners of these battles -- Chase Pittman vs. Melila Purcell and Louis Leonard vs. Ahtyba Rubin. Rubin has come on of late, I'm told.

David I. Andersen/Plain Dealer file photoBernie Kosar's quick rise with the Browns in the 1980s might not have been quite so rapid if he had been competing with talented competition like Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.

Hey, Tony: Would Kosar in his rookie year start over today's DA or Quinn? Is Romeo keeping Willie McGinest simply out of loyalty or does he really believe Willie can help? Won't Shantee Orr take Antwan Peek's place until Peek returns? -- Susan and Ace Brigham, Novato, Calif.

Hey, Susan and Ace: Kosar as a rookie would not start over a young veteran who threw 29 TDs the year before. Crennel believes McGinest is his best run stopper among the linebackers. Orr may eventually take Peek's place, but the team believes Alex Hall will be ready at some point.

Hey, Tony: After attending minicamp and the Family Fun night at the stadium, I have noticed the offense is not shifting guys as much at the line of scrimmage. I thought Chud's offense employed a lot of pre-snap shifting to exploit mismatches and keep the defense shifting and guessing. We did a lot of shifting last year and I believe that is what made our offense even more explosive. Have you noticed less shifting with the offense as well? -- Brian Senerchia, Stow, Ohio

Hey, Brian: I believe the shifting will increase as the season approaches. Coaches introduce things in a methodical way. You are correct in saying that pre-snap shifting is a big part of Chudzinski's offense. I am sure it will remain so.

Hey, Tony: What is the status of Pacman Jones' reinstatement? I know he's allowed to participate in the preseason games. Has the commissioner made any determination on when he will be allowed to return to the regular season? We hope he won't be available for the home opener. -- Todd Lengyel, Barberton, Ohio

Hey, Todd: The commissioner has not ruled on Jones' reinstatement. It is expected that Jones will be cleared to play for the season opener if he stays out of trouble.

Hey, Tony: I have a question about the new force-out rule. On Training Camp Daily, they said the only time it could be called was if a defender actually pushed a receiver out of bounds. How exactly is that different from what the rule was last year? As soon as a receiver touches the ball a defender can hammer him. Wouldn't deciding if the defender pushed him out of bounds vs. just started to tackle him be just as hard to discern as the previous rule? -- Stuart Dunn, Hiram, Ohio

Hey, Stuart: The rule states that for a legal catch, a receiver must land both feet inbounds -- unless the defender carries him out of bounds. In that judgment case, the official can rule the catch as good. Merely pushing him out of bounds is OK for defenders now.

Hey, Tony: With the success of Ryan Grant in Green Bay, and the no-name Denver running backs, how come the Browns won't trade for a young running back who can't crack the depth chart for another team. Our O-line should be good enough to help a downhill, one-cut runner like Denver's running backs. -- Ben Otstot, Marietta, Ohio

Hey, Ben: For the umpteenth time, the Browns are satisfied with their running backs behind Jamal Lewis. If Lewis were to go down for an extended period, they would have to acquire another -- just as the Colts would have to find another quarterback if Peyton Manning were hurt.

Hey, Tony: How would you rank the top 5 QBs in the NFL as far as arm strength? -- Mark Cesarik, Chicago

Hey, Mark: I'm not going to rank them in any order, but you would have to consider the following to be among the NFL's strongest throwers -- JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell, Derek Anderson, Brett Favre, Carson Palmer, Peyton Manning, Vince Young and Tony Romo.

Hey, Tony: With Josh Cribbs being a gifted runner and former QB, why are the Browns using him at wide receiver, which is not a natural position for him? I would think it would be easier, more effective and more deceptive if he was used in special offensive packages as a running back where he could run the ball, throw the ball, be a decoy, take a swing pass out of the backfield and then run or throw the ball, take an indirect snap from the center, etc. As an occasional running back, would it not open up more options on how to use Cribbs and make it harder for opposing teams to defend? -- Dave, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Hey, Dave: I agree, but the Browns feel Cribbs' upright running style would subject him to injuries as a running back.

Hey, Tony: The Thursday night game against Denver is scheduled to be shown on the NFL Network. Will a local station also show the game since it is at home? It is early but we need to prepare. -- Patty Arko, Medina, Ohio

Hey, Patty: I believe the game will be shown on WJW, Channel 8.

Hey, Tony: Recently, you referred to the Browns' depth at receiver as a significant concern. Why not bring Terry Glenn back to Ohio? -- Joey Honitt, Flushing, N.Y.

Hey, Joey: Depth at receiver is not a significant concern, especially after Thursday's preseason opener. Glenn is not on the Browns' radar screen.

Hey, Tony: Doesn't it seem more likely the Browns and Cowboys will make a WR/CB trade after Week 1? Is Ty Law a possibility? -- Joshua Douglas, Chicago

Hey, Joshua: The Cowboys don't appear to willing to trade a cornerback. Law is a possibility as long as he remains unsigned.

Hey, Tony: There have been a lot of positives coming out of camp about Travis Thomas. What is his outlook of making the roster, or do you feel he is destined for the practice squad? His size and power seem to be a good fit for Chud's offensive system. -- Lance Haberhern, Hixson, Tenn.

Hey, Lance: Barring an injury to one of the top three backs, Thomas is competing with Austin Scott for a spot on the practice squad.

Hey, Tony: How far, if the Browns stay healthy, a couple of breaks go our way, and we make the playoffs, do you think the Browns can go? Super Bowl? -- Robert Driscoll, Parma, Ohio

Hey, Robert: Anything is possible. I would concentrate first on beating Pittsburgh and winning the division.

Hey, Tony: It seems recently that the ambiguous phrase "wearing a player out" has become quite common. This seems especially true in discussions related to Josh Cribbs and how he will be used this season. Having played as a youth on both sides of the ball and observing the phenomenal athleticism of NFL players of late, I find it hard to imagine how a 24- to 28-year-old man can become overtaxed by playing in 15 instead of 8 plays a game. Has the game actually become so finite or are these code-words for simply a greater risk of injury? Can you please tell me your thoughts on this? -- Bob Vadas, Potsdam, N.Y.

Hey, Bob: Adding an extra seven plays might not overtax Cribbs. Using him as the third receiver in addition to maintaining his various roles on special teams might. Why do you think special teams are composed mostly of backup players? So the starters don't get worn out running down kicks.

Hey, Tony: Could you please tell me when and why they made the rule about the injured reserve? If the injury is healed by, say, the sixth game, he still has to set out the year. To me it doesn't make sense. -- Donald Pasqualetti, Reading, Ohio

Hey, Donald: The rule that players on injured reserve are out for the year came about over time as teams abused the IR list and used it to stash and stockpile prospects as "practice" players.

Hey, Tony: I've often heard the term franchise player thrown around when players are trying to re-sign their talent. Who is the Browns' franchise player? -- Bobby Schuschu, Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio

Hey, Bobby: The Browns have never had to use the franchise player designation, which was created in the 1993 collective bargaining agreement. Teams hesitate to designate a franchise player because it usually creates ill will.

Hey, Tony: The Browns used to scrimmage the Bills; any chance they will renew this? What happened to the talk of relocating training camp to the Columbus area? I noticed in your camp videos how much taller you are than Mary Kay. Are you really that tall, or is Mary Kay short? -- Jimmy Brock, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Jimmy: In his first few years, coach Romeo Crennel opposed scrimmaging so that he could devote all the time to installing his offense and defense. Now that they have some continuity, a team scrimmage in the future is a more realistic possibility. The talk of relocating camp to the Columbus area has cooled.

Yes, Mary Kay is that short.

Hey, Tony: Where's my boy Mason Unck? Is he still on the team but injured? Or did we cut him? -- John Mitra, Mayfield, Ohio

Hey, John: Unck agreed to an injury settlement last year. I don't know which NFL camp he is in, if any.

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